The men around him nodded and murmured their agreement.
“I was on board and had to step in as much for myself as for the others. Don’t make me out to be more than I am.” These men weren’t looking for a braggart. A little humility would go a long way. Where was all this leading, a commendation from the Association? No, something more was at hand, a gift in coin perhaps.
“We’ve petitioned Lord Ewan for help to protect our ships and goods. He sent some relief, but his forces are stretched thin with the majority of his men in the Norse country,” Otter said.
“Your quick thinking on the Sea Diamond proved to us we must rely on ourselves.” Lucas offered the accolade.
The others around him nodded their agreement.
“We discussed hiring someone to protect our ships.” Lucas glanced at Maxwell. The leader of the Association had been quiet until now.
“The decision was unanimous. The Association would like to hire you.” Maxwell’s offer was short and to the point.
“Me? You know nothing about me.” Wesley stood with them, as humble as possible.
“You are a successful merchant and proved yourself to us,” Dollin said.
Come to their aid? Not one of them came to his father’s defense. He struggled to keep his face gentle and not give each man a scathing stare. It took all his strength not to pummel them on the spot. These men were beneath his father in so many ways. But he bit his tongue. Their downfall would be complete soon enough. His gaze landed on Maxwell.
“We know about your service to the English crown as a privateer and your involvement at the Cinque Ports,” Maxwell said. “It makes you uniquely qualified.”
“Your privateering will come in handy. Lord Ewan has demanded the capture of the pirate captain, Fynn. He wants the man brought to him alive or dead. We don’t care which.”
His brother had been tempting fate for some time. He’d lost too much to let them take his brother, too. “You want me to hunt the pirate or protect your goods?”
Maxwell cleared his throat. “No need to hunt for Fynn. As soon as we send out a ship, he will attack. Personally, I think we have one chance. If you don’t stop him, all will be lost, not only our livelihoods but our families and homes. He’s raided one of the smaller settlements along the coast and burned out Thomasson’s home. We’ve met with Lord Ewan’s commander. His men will patrol the coast.”
Impossible. He and Fynn had no plans to act like a Viking raiding party, attack villages and kill innocent people. Their revenge was against the Association, no one else. Was this some sort of trick to make Fynn their scapegoat?
He didn’t want to entertain the idea that his brother would attack the village. Fynn had better sense than to start a war. Didn’t he? His body stilled as he tried to discredit the idea, but something in the back of his mind mocked him. Scanning each man’s face, he searched for another answer, but he suddenly had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Oh Fynn. What has the fool done?
“With Lord Ewan’s men patrolling the coast, protecting our business is in our hands. Do you accept our offer?”
“Before I agree, I want you to tell me everything.”
The men nodded. The Association’s offer was a gift, better than money. These men handed him the information for their own destruction. He would know the goods they carried, their shipping schedule, and be able to plan every detail of their ruin. In addition, he could protect Fynn.
It didn’t take the merchants long to sketch out their current situation. Lucas, Dollin, and Otter’s businesses were weeks away from collapse. Maxwell was more stable, but only because of his other business dealings.
Maxwell clearly kept the Association operating with his own funds. Nowhere was there any mention of the men having to give up a percentage of their business or pay back any money. The shock of discovering Maxwell’s generosity and compassion hit him full force. Fynn must have this all wrong.
How could this be the same man that ruined his family? No, there had to be more to the story and the logical place for him to unearth it was with Fynn.
“We’ll give you ninety pounds for your services.” Lucas nodded, his chin high, his chest out. “Ninety pounds.” He stressed the number.
Wesley didn’t say anything. Not because he practiced his negotiation skills. His silence and unemotional expression came from the surprise of the princely price they offered.
No one made a sound, yet everyone was moving. Dollin rubbed the back of his neck. Otter twisted the ring on his finger. Lucas bounced from one foot to another.
Maxwell looked him in the eye. He must have come from the same school as his father. His face showed no expression.
“We will pay for your supplies, people you need, and we’ll give you fifteen percent of the sales,” Maxwell stated, then waited.
“I trade my silks as well without any payment to the Association, and I have full control of the project. If my life is on the line, I will control the risk.”
“What do you think?” Dollin, Otter, and Lucas asked Maxwell.
“The agreement is good for two months, at which time you and the Association can decide whether to continue or cancel it,” Maxwell spoke as if only the two of them stood in the room.
“The offer is attractive, worth considering,” Wesley said.
“One last item. I expect a daily report. The Association funds are limited and must be closely managed. I’m sure you understand. This is where the Association meets and where all the records are kept. If you like, you can work here.”
The room was deathly quiet. Nothing was left to negotiate. Wesley didn’t like the time constraint, although he had no intention of this project taking any longer than several weeks, a month at most. He did like access to all the records and that no one questioned his control. With so much to gain, he would be a fool to say no.
“Maxwell, you drive a hard bargain. We have an agreement.” Wesley held out his hand.
“Indeed, we do.” A broad smile lit Maxwell’s face. The others took turns sealing the agreement with a handshake while Maxwell poured a whiskey for everyone.
“To our partnership,” Lucas said and raised his glass.
Wesley downed the whiskey and put the glass on the table. “If you will excuse me, I have a few personal issues which need my attention,” he said to Maxwell. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Here at the library.”
He left through the garden and walked down the path toward the water. He needed peace and quiet. The elements of a plan were already forming in his head.
The Sea Diamond would be the lead ship. Lucas, Dollin, and Otter’s boats would be his armada. Small amounts of cargo would be stowed on one of the birlinns. They would use the Sea Diamond as a fighting fortress. Meantime, he would spend his own money flooding the market with the same goods as the Association and drive prices down. To give the Association a false sense of security, Wesley would choreograph two separate pirate attacks, which the Sea Diamond would evade. The Association’s cargo would be safely delivered each time.
On the third trip, a large amount of cargo would be on the Sea Diamond. Fynn would destroy every ship in the armada, then focus his attention on the Sea Diamond and with his help, take the ship.
A wrong turn of the rudder could easily drive the ship on to the rocks. The pirates would salvage the Sea Diamond and take it for themselves. With the cog, the trader’s birlinn ships would be at their mercy. This plan all depended on location and timing. He’d have to plan carefully to avoid any contact with Lord Ewan’s men. He didn’t want them anywhere close to Fynn and the Black Opal.
He pursed his lips and nodded, satisfied the scheme would ruin Dollin, Otter, and Lucas. The loss of the Sea Diamond would hurt Maxwell’s business, but not enough. For him, he devised a special plan.
Maxwell’s gem business demanded a pristine reputation. Wesley planned to expose him for trading fake gems and look on as Maxwell lost his business as his father had.
He hiked over the rise toward the
Loch. In the distance, he saw Darla on a bench staring at the water.
“Good day,” he called as he approached.
She turned toward him. Her startled expression transformed into a welcoming gaze. He couldn’t help but smile back. She wore a white and yellow gown, her hair long and down her back. He felt the attraction as if magnets pulled them together. Pity, she was Maxwell’s daughter.
“What a pleasant surprise. Would you like to join me?” She moved over to give him room. “I find the serenity here a good place for working out problems.”
He took the seat she offered.
“What sort of problem? Perhaps I can help. The Association seems to think I’m a good problem solver.”
“Father told Mother and me the Association had a proposition for you. Did you accept it?”
“Yes. Your father can be very persuasive when he wants. Now, what is your issue?”
Darla took a green amber gem from her pouch and held it up to the sun. The clarity and sparkle were brilliant.
“I’m creating a necklace for Maria with seven stones like this one and have two designs in mind. I’m waiting for inspiration to tell me which to do. You see, in one design, each amber stone is set in a lavish gold filigree frame. In the other design, enough gold surrounds the amber to allow the pieces to be joined.”
“There’s a simple answer.” He lifted the amber out of her hand and held it up to the sun. “Green amber is rare. This is an exceptional quality. I wouldn’t hide its beauty in a fancy frame, but rather let the stone shine on its own, like the woman who will wear it.”
The green stone was threaded with streaks of silver. She tilted her head. Something primal drew her to the stone. Strength and Life were the words that came to mind.
He handed the stone back to her and took one from his pocket. “I offered this to your father to pay for my passage, but he refused to take it. Perhaps you can use the gem and make it into something special.”
He opened her hand and placed it in her palm. His fingers lingered but a heartbeat before he closed her fingers around the gem. The touch of her skin was soft and smooth which was to be expected for a lady of quality, but the shiver of excitement that rushed up his spine confused him. It left him wanting more, wanting her.
Chapter Nine
“Come,” Wesley said to the knock on the door. He’d worked in Maxwell’s library for the last two weeks, going over each merchant’s trade agreements and deadlines, planning the shipping schedule. He checked one last time. Everything was in place for the Association to launch their first trip tomorrow.
“I’m sorry to interrupt you. I’ve come to get my things and will leave you to your work.” Darla whisked into the room and started to gather her tools and the half-finished necklace.
He put the papers aside and pushed his chair back to give Darla his full attention. He’d begun his crusade thinking his goal, establishing a friendship with her, was an easy one. He’d never had any difficulty attracting a woman’s attention, quite the contrary. But Darla proved to be more of a challenge.
Every morning, he arrived at the library to work and stayed until the early afternoon. She was nowhere to be seen. When he came in the evening to report to Maxwell, she and her mother sat with them and at times were left to sit together in quiet conversation.
They spoke about his project. He was surprised she understood navigation principles and trading schedules. Her astute questions helped him prepare his report to her father.
Like Maxwell, Darla was full of surprises.
“Lady Darla, please come in,” Alice, the helmsman’s wife said.
“I’m here to look at Leo’s wound.”
“Lady Darla?” Wesley shot to his feet. He’d never seen a lady of her quality enter a sailor’s cottage.
“Wesley.” She passed him on her way to see Leo.
“I just arrived and brought him a bottle of whiskey. For a fast recovery,” he said, as he followed her to the cot on the far side of the room.
“Off with your shirt, Leo. Let me see how your wound is healing.” Alice helped him ease off the garment.
Wesley looked on as she examined Leo’s wound. Her hands prodded the area around the gash with care.
“Does that hurt?” Darla said her voice soft and soothing.
“No, m’lady. The area is tender, but there’s no pain.”
“You tell her ladyship the truth,” Alice said. The woman spoke to Darla. “He keeps me up all night with his moaning.”
Darla took out a pot of salve. She smeared it on the wound then bandaged the injury.
“This should ease the pain.” Alice gave Darla a bowl of water and towel to clean up.
“You have my thanks for coming, m’lady,” Alice said.
“The herbs should help with the pain. Here, take this salve. It should be enough for tonight. Change the dressing as often as needed. I’ll bring more tomorrow,” Darla said as Alice saw them to the door.
Outside, she stretched and raised her chin toward the sun and took a deep breath. There was both delicacy and strength in her face. Her eyes were closed and her lips slightly parted. Her appeal devastated him. She innocently stood there unaware she was asking to be kissed.
“Would you like to walk by the cliff? I need some fresh air after that ordeal,” Wesley said.
She turned toward him and broke into a friendly smile. “Yes. Fresh air sounds wonderful. Would you walk me home afterward?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
“Mother doesn’t like me coming to the village alone.” She turned from him and kept walking.
“Ah, a simple business arrangement. You realize that makes you indebted to me.”
She looked at him from the corner of her eye. She couldn’t hide the lovely smirk on her lips. They kept moving on.
A pair of pliers slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor by his feet. He picked them up and handed them to her.
Now, he watched her examine her tools deciding which ones she wanted. He had to admit, he looked forward to her company. Their talks were varied and much to his surprise she asked about his family and silk business.
“My mother inherited an estate in Glesanda across Loch Linnhe. We arrived there with everything we owned. Father spoke of nothing but his silkworms. How he would cultivate them and rebuild the family business. He packed the small mulberry bushes and cared for them as if they were precious.
“We worked for weeks digging and planting. One morning we woke to tend the bushes and found them all dead. We gathered as many leaves as we could and fed the silkworms, but by the end of the week, every one of them had died.
“I made a pledge I would restore the family and our business. So far, I’ve been successful.”
“Glesanda is part of Lord Ewan’s domain. Surely he helped your father?”
He remained quiet. She wouldn’t believe Lord Ewan took Glesanda from his brother when their father died. No, her undying devotion to the man was the only subject they disagreed on. No matter what praise she professed about Lord Ewan, his mind could not be changed. Nor did he try to change hers. That wouldn’t help. His path to avenge his father was set.
“I hope I’m not bothering you,” Darla said.
“Not at all. You’re a welcome distraction.” Since he’d commandeered the library, spreading documents all over the table, she worked in the solar. He glanced at her progress with the jewelry each morning, amazed at the intricate work.
“The necklace is beautiful. Your ability to work with the stones is magical.”
She scrutinized the piece with a worried look. “Something’s missing. I’m not sure what.”
Even though the necklace was in pieces on the work surface, he had no doubt the finished piece would be breathtaking. The simplicity of the design enhanced the elegance of the gems, but Darla was right. Something was missing.
“Perhaps we should sit by the water for inspiration.” He gestured toward the garden door.
The smile on her face lit
her eyes. He waited in anticipation, but she stared at the necklace, deep in thought. His lips pressed tight, he let out a heavy sigh.
She lifted the board.
“I feel guilty taking your workplace.” He took the board out of her hand and placed it back on the table. “The documents are all corralled. There is more than enough room for us both to work in here.”
He pulled the chair out for her and waited.
Slowly, she lowered into the seat. “Thank you.”
“Excellent.” He went back to her father’s desk, happy that he made some small progress.
He bent to his work and studied the documents on the desk. From time to time, he glanced toward her to see her engrossed with her work. There was a genuine sense of comfort and ease working side by side. Pirates and revenge were the furthest things from his mind.
“Wesley,” Maxwell said, entering the room.
“Darla, how good to find you here. Your mother is looking for you.”
She dropped her tool at the unexpected intrusion. “If you will excuse me.”
Darla brushed past Wesley. A streak of heat raced up his arm when her hand on her skirt touched his. Her move was daring and intentional. He gave her fingers a slight squeeze before she moved past. His gaze followed her as she left and closed the door behind her.
Wesley turned his attention to Maxwell. The man’s eyes burned into him.
“My daughter is quite a wonderful woman with many hidden talents. She is also young, innocent, and promised to another.”
He couldn’t tame his face fast enough to hide his anger.
“You misunderstand. I assure you, your daughter is a friend, a sister. Nothing more.” He should be happy with Maxwell’s reaction. If her father could perceive the attraction, Darla must sense it, too.
No, the man didn’t think he was good enough for his daughter. What would he think if he had any idea his real last name was Reynolds?
Maxwell eased his stance and looked out the window where Darla walked the path to the garden workroom.
The Pirate’s Jewel Page 9